Form clamp



May 8, 1923. 1,454,502

G. B. Bosco FORM CLAMP Filed Dec. 5. 1921 www MM2,

Wem $5/ 1%/ Patented ay 83, 1923.

GEORGE B. BOSCO, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

'FORM CLAMP.

Application led December 3, 1921. l Serial No. 519,692. I

To allwhom it may concern: i

Be it known that I, GEORGE B. Bosco', a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Chioago,`county of Cook,

and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Form Clamps, of which .the following is a specification.

This invention relates to form clamps particularly designed for holding together the separable parts of la concrete mold such as those which are used in building concrete columns, joists and girders. 4

The main objects of 4this invention are to provide a form clamp which is simple7 inexpensive and effective, and having'an mproved form and arrangement of interlocking parts; to provide improved means for adjusting the parts to accommodate different sizes of molds; and toprovide a detachable tool for 'drawing the interlocking parts toward each other totighten the clamp..

` An illustrative embodiment of this invention is shown in theaccompanying draw-v ings, wherein- Figure I1 is a perspective view of a column mold, partly broken away,'and having applied thereto a form clamp embodying this` invention.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical section of the interlocking members of the clamp. v

.Figure 3 is a. plan of the interlocking members.

Figure 4 is a' side elevation of the complete clamp and detachable tool, the flexible band being shown partly broken away.

The' majority of form clamps which are now in use comprises a plurality of similarly formed sections having means for adjustment at each corner of the mold. Such clamps cannot properlybe applied to a column mold without the services of two men, because the clamp sections should be interlocked simultaneouslyon opposite sides of the mold in order to prevent the form from -being distorted.

IThe present clamp comprises a single fiexible metallic vband having adjustably 'secured thereto a pair of members formed for interlocking engagement for securing the band around the form. The interlocking members are drawn together into locking position by a separate tool which is detachable so that Aone such tool may serve a large `number of clamps.

Referring tn the drawings, the clamp is 'shown applied to concrete column mold comprising side sections which are formed of planks 1, secured together bybattens 2 arranged on the outside of the mold at certain intervals and disposed transversely tothe planks. v

In the form shown, the clamp comprises A a flexible element 3, adapted to embrace the mold and having its ends -secured to interitting members 4 and 5 arranged for telescopic engagement, and which are drawn into interlocking relation by a detachable tool 6.

rThe flexibleelement preferably comprises a flat strap of metal, of sufiicient width to insure a proper grip of the interlocking members.

The members land 5 are vpreferably each in the form of a metal casting comprising a head 7 and a shank 8. The head 7 'includes a pair of flanges 7.1 arranged insubstantially parallel spaced relation and extending beyond one end of the shank for supporting a pair of transversely disposed pins 9 and 10, which arespaced apart with respect to each other. and the adjacent end as shown in Fig. 1, for Vsecuring'the strap against slipping bythe friction of the overlapping parts. This form of lacing perl mits. vthe interfittng members-to grip the flexible strap at any point along its length and-the clamp is,'therefore, adjustable to accommodate molds of various sizes. The

ins"9 and 10 may be separately formed and inserted-throughsuitable apertures in the flanges 7 .1, lbut in the drawings the pins are shown as preferably cast integral with the interlocking members; vided with a flat or preferably slightly concave face on the purchase side l1 thereof, so as to forma pair of shoulders 12 for putting a kink in the metal strap and thereby increasing the friction between the strap and interlocking members.

Projecting outwardly from the anges 7 .1

The pin 10 is pro-4 The member 4, or male part ofthe clamp, y

has its shank extended to form atongue 14, and the member 5, or female part of` the clamp, has an enlargement 15 formed at the outer end of its shank and provided with a slot or socket 16 for receiving the tongue 14. Extending through the members 4: and 5,

,is a plurality of apertures 17 arranged to receive a locklng pin 18 and disposed so as to permit the interlocking of the parts 1n various relative positions. The locking pm 1s preferably in the form of a nail which may be driven into the batten of the mold.

The detachable tool 6 comprises a slide bar 19, having mounted thereon a stationary jaw 20, and a. movable jaw 2l, which are both formed with claws 22, for engagement with the lugs 13 of the interfitting parts 4 and 5. The bar 19 is preferably made of steel and the jaws are preferably made of cast metal and are formed with centrally located openings to receive the slide bar. The stationary jaw 2O is fastened to the bar 19 by a pin 23, which permits a slight rocking movement of the stationary jaw so as to permit the jaw to be rocked into frictional engagement with the upper and lower edges of the bar 19, thereby relieving the pin 23 of all strain. The movable jaw 21 is actuated by a hand screw 24, which is carried by a head 25 mounted on the adjacent end 'of the bar 19. One end 4of the screw v24: engages a socket (not shown) formed in the jaw 21 and the other end of the screw is provided with a crank handle 26.

In operation, the clamp is applied to a column mold with the flexible strap embracing the battens 2 as shown in Fig. 1, any appreciable slack in the strap having first been taken up by adjusting the lacing. The tool 6 is then applied to the members 4 and 5 with the claws engaging the lugs 13. By operating the hand screw 24: the strap 3 is tightened by drawing the interfitting members into position to permit the insertion of the pin 18 through certain of the alined apertures. When the locking pin has been inserted through the apertures and driven into the mold, the detachable tool may be removed and used on other clamps. f

When the clamp is used on a circular form, suitable filler blocks (not shown) may be inserted-between the interlocking members and the mold.

It is apparent from the foregoing description that the present invention provides a simple and effective-column clamp in which there are no projecting parts and which can be readly applied to a mold by one person.

Although but one specific embodiment of this invention is herein shown and described, it will be understood that numerous details of the construction shown may be altered or Vomitted without departing from the'"'spiiit of this invention as defined by the following claims.

l claim:

l. A form clamp comprising a lexible'elelment. adapted to embrace the form, a pair of members on said element tormed for interfitting engagement, a detachable tool for drawing said members into interfitting engagement to permit the interlocking of said members, said tool comprising a body having a pair of jaws adapted for engagement with said members, and a screw mounted on said body and arranged for moving one of said jaws relatively to the other jaw.

2. A form clamp comprising a flexible` element adapted to embrace the form, a pair of members on said element formed for interfitting engagement, a detachable tool for drawing said members into interfitting engagement to permit the.interlocking of said members, said tool comprising a bar having a pair of jaws mounted thereon for engagement with said members, one of said jaws bein@ fixed on said bar, the other of said jaws Pbeing slidable along said bar, yand a screw mounted on said bar and arranged to move said other jaw along said bar relatively of said fixed jaw.

3. A clamp of the class described comprising a pair of relatively slidable members adapted for interlocking engagement, and a flexible band connecting said members, one of said members having a pair of transversely disposed pins arranged in spaced relation, one end of said band being bent around one of said pins and laced throu li the space between said pins whereby said band is adjustably secured to said one member b the friction of the overlapping parts of said band at the lacing.

l. A clamp of the class described com rising a pair of relatively slidable mem ers adapted for interfitting engagement, each of said members having a pair of transversely disposed pins arranged in spaced relation, a flexible band connecting said members, the ends of said band 2:being bent around certain of said pins and laced through the space between the pins of each pair whereby said members are adjustably secured to said band by the friction of the overlapping parts of said band at the lacings, and a detachable tool for drawing said members into interfitting engagement to permit the interlocking of said members.

5. A clamp of the class described comprising a pair of relatively movable members adapted for interlocking engagement, a flexible band connecting said members, each of said members comprising a shank having a head extending beyond one end of said shank, and a pair of transversely disposed pins mounted on said head and arranged in spaced relation'with res ect to each other and to said shank, the en s of said band being laced through the space between said pins and shank and doubled back upon said band at the lacings.

6. A clamp of the class described comprising a pair of relatively movable mem- -bers adapted for interlocking engagement,

a flexible band connecting said members, each ots-aid members comprising a shank having a pair of spacedanges projecting beyond one end of said shank, a pair of transversely disposed pins extending between said'ilanges in spaced relation to each other and to said one end of the-shank, a pair of oppositely disposed lugs extending outwardly from said flanges, the ends of said bands being laced through the spaces between said pins and the shank and doubled back upon said band at the lacings, and a detachable tool adapted for engagement with said lugs for drawing said members into po sition to permit the interlocking of said members.

7. A clamp of' the class described comprising a pair of relatively movable members adapted for interlocking engagement, a flexible band connecting said members, each of said members comprising a shank having a head extending beyond one end of said shank, and a pair of transversely disposed pins nounted on said head and arranged in spaced relation with respect to each other and to said shank, the ends of said band being laced through the space between said pins and shank and doubled back upon said band at the lacings, the shank of one of said members being formed to provide 'a socket for receiving the shank of the other of said members, said Shanks having apertures for receiving a locking pin.

Signed at Chicago this 30 day of Nov. 1921.

GEORGE B. BSCO. 

